POLICE OFFICER TRAINEE

Police Officer Trainee

Start a career in law enforcement. View the City of Stockton Police website at

Incentives for new employees: Sign on bonus - $15,000. Relocation assistance reimbursement. 40 hours of vacation available for immediate use. The City pays the entire employee share of their health plan contribution.

Physical Ability Test (PAT) and PELLETB Written Test on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

Mark your calendar for the test date!

This position is an entry-level, non-sworn position in the Police Department. Incumbents are assigned to the Basic Peace Officer Academy and must satisfactorily pass all of the requirements that lead to the possession of the Basic Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Certificate before becoming candidates for the sworn position of Police Officer.

Emphasis is placed on community-based policing, familiarization between law enforcement and community residents, and collaborative problem solving. Assignment to this classification is temporary. Failure to complete a police academy will result in termination from City of Stockton employment.

Attend and successfully complete a police academy to prepare for the position of Police Officer.

Education: Graduation from an accredited United States high school or possession of a GED certificate received from a recognized accrediting association. Completion of some college course work is preferred.

Age: Must be twenty (20) years of age at the time of application, and twenty-one (21) years of age by the time of appointment.

Driver's License: Must possess or be able to obtain and maintain a valid California Class C driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.

Background Investigation: Must successfully complete a background investigation, which shall include a polygraph and psychological examination, and a California Department of Justice fingerprint clearance. Must be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer. Must be able to pass a physical examination, which includes a drug screen, administered by the City Physician. Vision requirements are 20/100 uncorrected; 20/30 corrected. Color blindness will be cause for rejection. Hearing must be within normal range -- 5/5.

Additional requirements: Must be able to work days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays; and drive. The City of Stockton requires employees in a public safety classification to reasonably respond to emergencies at all times. Employees will be required to maintain primary residence within 45 minutes of City Hall in order to timely respond to emergencies and meet the health, safety and welfare needs of the City. New employees have up to three (3) months from the date of hire to comply with the requirement. Any interested candidates must be willing to adhere to this requirement throughout the duration of employment.

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all City of Stockton employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.

All applications and supplemental questions must be completed fully and submitted on an official City of Stockton application form. Incomplete applications and supplementals will be rejected and cannot be revised after submittal on or before the final filing date. Postmarks, facsimiles, and photocopies of the city's employment application will not be accepted. Resumes are welcomed but should be submitted as additional information only.

The information in this announcement concerning the terms and conditions of employment does not constitute either an express or implied contract, and these provisions are subject to change.

Notification and correspondence will be sent via email only. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure a correct email address is provided and that correspondence is being received. After on-line submittal, immediate notification will appear on your screen indicating your application has been received. You should print this notice as proof of filing.

The City of Stockton offers a comprehensive benefits package for employees and their eligible dependents in the Stockton Police Officers' Association (SPOA). A summary of the key offerings are listed below. More information can be found on the City of Stockton Benefits Page and the SPOA Memorandum of Understanding.

Health Benefits – Choice of Kaiser and Sutter health insurance plans. The City will cover the entire employee's share of the monthly health plan contribution.

Dental and Vision Plans – City of Stockton offers the choice of Delta Dental PPO or DHMO plans. The City offers VSP as a Vision plan. The City will cover the entire employee's share of the monthly dental and vision plan contributions.

Life Insurance and Long Term Disability - Employees are provided life insurance through Lincoln National Life Insurance Company with life insurance benefits of $50,000 for each employee. For some employee bargaining units, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit is provided.

Retirement Program – CalPERS (formula is dependent on hire date and member status in CalPERS). The City also offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation 457 Plan through Empower. The City will provide a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution to the deferred compensation 401(a) plan for participating employees up to a maximum of $600.00 per fiscal year. Public Safety does not participate in Social Security.

Longevity Pay - The following longevity plan applies: I. Officers who have been employed with the City of Stockton for 5 years will receive 2% longevity pay. II. Officers with 10 years will receive an additional 2%, III. Officers with 15 years will receive an additional 2%, IV. Officers with 20 years will receive an additional 2%, V. Service years will be based on the employee's initial P.O.S.T. certification date if that year is earlier than their most recent hire date with the City.

Vacation – All regular status employees, excluding provisional, temporary, and part-time employees, shall accrue vacation leave with pay semi-monthly at the rate of 80 hours per year the first year and a half and progresses up to 189 hours per year up to 25 years. For 25 + years of service, seven (7) additional hours are added for each additional completed year of service. Maximum accruals do apply.

Sick Leave - All regular status employees, except provisional, temporary, and part-time employees, shall accrue sick leave at the rate of eight (8) hours for each full month of service. All regular status employees, except provisional, temporary, and part-time employees, working less than a full month shall accrue sick leave on a prorated basis. Unused sick leave shall accumulate from year to year.

Holidays – There are 14 paid holidays per year.

Uniform Allowance – Employees receive a uniform allowance of $950 per year.

Additional Benefits – Employee Assistance Program, Section 125 Plans, Voluntary Products (Life Insurance, AD&D, Hospital, Accident, Short-term disability insurances), Direct Deposit, Education Assistance

Employee benefits are subject to change through the collective bargaining process and are not guaranteed. For a detailed explanation of benefits currently in effect, click here to view a link to the "Stockton Police Officers' Association (SPOA)" contract.